and, limiting them from syria. i think the effort in iraq is progressing and hopefully it will progress to a successful conclusion as well in terms of removing the caliphate from isis. staying in the middle east, in terms of the relationship between israel and the palestinians, it has been a position of the country that direct negotiation between the countries without interference from outsiders was the key. the obama administration recently abandoned israel with a one-sided resolution at the security council, the united nations, by abstaining from a vote, which in the past we would have routinely vetoed. can you talk about your views on the refusal to veto the recent un security council resolution and a subsequent speech by secretary kerry? mr. tillerson: israel is, has always been, and remains our most important ally in the region. the u.s. resolution that was passed, in my view, is not helpful. it undermines a good set of conditions for talks to continue . after theary's speech resolution i found quite troubling